Father and Son Indicted in Connection With Murder of Somerville Man

WOBURN– Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today that a Somerville father and son have been indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury in connection with the death of Vincent Lalli, 66, also of Somerville, whose body was discovered in Norwood on January 29.

Anthony Canejo Sr., 53, of Somerville, was indicted on charges of first degree murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in violation of a restraining order, violation of a restraining order, and improper disposal of human remains.

Anthony Canejo Jr., 30, of Somerville, was indicted on charges of being an accessory after the fact to murder, and receiving stolen property under $250 (two counts).

Arraignment dates have not yet been set.

“It is alleged that this victim was brutally assaulted in Somerville and portions of his dismembered body were dumped behind a school in Norwood, outside of Middlesex County, and other remains were recovered in Somerville” said District Attorney Ryan. “It is because of the hard work and coordinated efforts of many agencies that this case was solved and we are able to bring indictments against these defendants.”

According to authorities, the victim’s dismembered body parts were discovered January 29 behind the Coakley Middle School in Norwood by Norwood Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.

An investigation led authorities to allegedly determine that the victim was killed in Somerville, in Middlesex County, where additional remains were recovered on March 30.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and determined the cause of death to be homicide.

It is alleged that the defendants and victim were known to each other and that the victim had lived with the defendants in an apartment in Somerville. Through the investigation it was allegedly determined that Anthony Canejo Sr. assaulted the victim with a crowbar and then strangled him. It is alleged that he then moved the victim’s body from Somerville and that his son, Anthony Canejo Jr., assisted him in disposing of the remains in Norwood, where it was ultimately discovered.

Both defendants were arrested and arraigned in Somerville District Court on February 14. They have been held in custody since that time.

The investigation was conducted by Massachusetts State Police assigned to both the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the State Police Special Tactical Operations Team, Norwood Police, Somerville Police, Quincy Police, and Watertown Police.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicole Allain. The Victim Witness Advocate is Anne Foley.